Chicopee, MA Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)

Chapter 269 of the Code of the City of Chicopee, the Water Use Ordinances, puts leak repair on the property owner for everything past the City's share of the service pipe. Under § 269-3.4 the City owns the water service pipe from the public main to the owner's property line, except where a building, foundation wall, retaining wall, stairs, areaways or other subterranean structures sit on the property line, in which case the City owns the pipe to a distance of 18 inches outside the property line. Beyond that point, § 269-4.3(A) says the portion on private property, or the portion not owned by the City, shall at all times be kept by the owner in good repair, free of leaks and protected from frost and corrosion.

The process is set by § 269-4.3(B). If the Superintendent determines there is a leak in the owner's portion of the water service pipe, the Superintendent notifies the owner with a written LUTO notice. The owner is then responsible for filing a general service application, having the leak repaired and having the work inspected by the Superintendent to confirm it complies with the chapter. The Superintendent can shut off a leaking water service pipe.

The Superintendent can also require an owner, at the owner's expense, to expose piping for inspection and to replace or repair it if it does not conform to applicable state and federal law, codes and ordinances. Where the City's own portion is damaged by neglect or carelessness of the owner, a plumber, contractor, occupant or anyone acting for the owner, the City makes the repairs at the owner's expense. For private water mains, § 269-3.6 lets the Superintendent direct the owner to repair or replace the main to reduce water lost through leaks or where leaks jeopardize the public system.

Separately, § 269-3.8(A) bars any user from knowingly allowing water to leak or run to unnecessary waste. Frozen pipes are the owner's job too: § 269-4.3(C) makes the owner responsible for thawing, at its expense, a frozen pipe on the owner's portion. Chicopee's code sets no resident-reporting deadline; the duty is triggered by the Superintendent's determination.